Looking back, looking ahead

https://www.google.com/search?q=technology+for+teachers&rlz=1C1NHXL_enUS689US689&espv=2&biw=1093&bih=514&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj7tK3WyY_NAhWo4IMKHVNvCacQ_AUICCgD#imgrc=F0ILUPZpZw6MdM%3A

When I first started this class, I was so nervous because I felt like I was probably going to be the only one who did not know how to use all the tools the teacher was teaching us about. I was getting ready to drop this course in the beginning, but I see that many others on the first day also had zero experience with using technology. So I stuck with it because I know the teacher would take her time showing us and learning how to use technology tools we are going to be needing when we teach. This TIE300 was great and I’m glad they offered it to us future teachers we are going to use this in the future when we start teaching. With all the technology all students are using now a days there’s going to probably be only ipads and laptops in classrooms from now on.

The teacher was excellent because she has so much experience in the field and was very organized on each educational tool we learned each week. She went step by step with us in the class and even though I never used it if I was stuck I would right away ask a classmate or email the teacher right away. But sometimes it was small things I would look on youtube for step by step to guide me through it.

 I thought we had to pay for everything we were using online websites but guess what it was FREE! All these great tools to use in the classroom us teachers can use for free and the students would enjoy it.

I made sure to save all the work we did in this course so I can go back and use when I start teaching in the future.  I am also glad she made us make our very own professional website which I never had done. Now that I designed and put all my information of mine I can use it for teaching jobs. 

Check out this link that we learned to use in the classroom! http://blabberize.com/

Media Literacy

First, let me tell you about Media literacy. It is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media. Media literate youth and adults are better able to understand the complex messages we receive from television, radio, Internet, newspapers, magazines, books, billboards, video games, music, and all other forms of media. Kids now a day see of that on tv and internet. It is sad that companies give false advertising to make you believe  the product will make you look skinner or prettier. There are so many advertsiting weight commercials and make up advertisements that are telling you that it would work but really it does not its fake. It is all Photoshop.  In class, I already knew about advertisements getting people well young children to buy things. People ask me to take pills that it will help you or take this and that but come on if it were true everyone in the world would be skinny. That is how I started knowing about false advertisements. Also you end up hearing months later people died because they believed the products from the advertisements are beneficial for you but really they make you sick and unhealthy. Another is McDonald's, that fast food industry puts a clown and gives toys when buying a kids meal. Which we already know how bad that food is but everyone still buys it because its cheap and affordable.  Advertisements are all about getting people to buy things and making money. I believe we should teach Media literacy to children so that they are aware to make choices this will help them with   Develop critical thinking skills, how media messages shape our culture and society, Recognize what the media maker wants us to believe or do, Recognize bias, spin, misinformation, and lies  and discover the parts of the story that are not being told.  The children might even hear it from other friends. Here is a body image,weight loss photo shop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz1mo-If2UA

Image found on http://cagedslug.com/is-media-literacy-important/

Personal Learning Network

A little about PLN, it stands for Personal Learning Network. What it means is that an individual has developed their own personalized “network” of fellow educators and resources. Twitter is an excellent for educators to use to chat to other educators all over the world for ideas for classroom, and students work and how to be a better teacher. You can log in to twitter at any time you want to chat and share ideas. You do not have to go in person anywhere it’s all on one app on your phone. PLN allows an educator to personalize their training. If a teacher wants to learn more about technology in the classroom, or discussion methods, or how to help struggling students, they can adapt their network to provide exactly the information that is needed. Any social media ] such as Twitter, Facebook, and teacher blogs, teachers can right away post their articles, research, experiences, or discoveries because there is always someone online at all times to chat and share. I hardly used twitter and from this class I learned a lot how it could help me as a future educator when I start teaching in a classroom. I started following 15 educational pages. After following every day I got more and more educational pages asking to follow me for more info to help me as a future educator. I joined a chat on twitter called #kinderchat I was nervous because I am not a teacher yet but right away I introduced myself and said I was a future educator and that this is my first time joining a chat. Many people which were all teachers right away helped me and answered my questions well and told me if I ever need help to let them know. During the chat I saw posts about how to do portfolios for parents and pictures of art work of the teachers classroom asking what else they can add to lesson plans. What I noticed everything went to fast people comment fast and so many questions all I once. I will definitely use twitter in the future when I became a teacher it is a great PLN that everyone should join and check out for themselves for educational purposes.

follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/?lang=en

About Digital Tattoos

http://aboutmyrecovery.com/16-myths-versus-reality-on-internet-safety-of-our-kids/

What is digital tattoo and digital footprint? This is what we discussed in class on Thursday.  We discussed about tattoos on our body. I myself do not have any and is not planning to have one. I really do not like tattoos. Yes, they are nice depends why you want it and the meaning. Just remember a tattoo is permanent. You hear now a day is how jobs do not want you showing your tattoos because it is unprofessional. The tattoos should not matter what kind of person you are. You should not judge people on their tattoos.

Also about what you write and post your facebook, twitter, snap chat etc.  I already knew about the whole once you post it is always out there forever. Nothing is ever gone and deleted. This is why young students and adults need to think before they post a picture or a post about them or someone else. Now a days when someone reads something that someone posted all they have to do it screen shot it and pass it on to everyone then that image or post is everywhere.  Once you record that video and upload it, it will get re posted so many times and fast once it is on the internet. The teacher discussed how you could search any name and see how much information comes up. I already done that the website I used was spoko. I had searched my dad’s name and showed him. My parents are not tech people. So once, I showed my dad about him online of the house address, how much, relative’s names. Etc. his face was shocked. Even my mom was like shocked. They could not believe all that was online just by typing there name in. I searched my name but nothing comes up. We got into partners and we had to search a person. We found so much info on this woman, her age, phone number, degrees, relatives, house, employment history , and  even family photos. It is scary with so much identity theft going on and stalkers.  I was not surprised because with technology now a day’s everyone’s info is out there and it is easy to get.  It made me think twice about what I post on fb about something or someone on facebook because future jobs can see it or if you’re trying to get a scholarship.

Link http://www.internetsociety.org/your-digital-footprint-matters

Common Core State Standards

Heartland
Image found on google

Kindergarten Language

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.5.A Sort common objects into categories (e.g., shapes, foods) to gain a sense of the concepts the categories represent.

Skills:

1. similarities and differences (understand)

2.  Identify foods vs. shapes (understand)

3.  Count number of objects (evaluate)

Technology:

1. IPAD

2. Smartboard

The teacher would first begin circle time by reading a book on sorting called "Sort it Out" by Barbara M. and showing them hands on sorting objects on smart board with each child coming up to take a turn sorting also talking to the children about if they know what sorting means or who knows how to sort objects? If the kindergartners are still not quite sure the teacher would do an example with the class by asking them first “How can we put the students in our class into groups?" The teacher would move and put the children into boys and girls or children who have shorts in one side and children wearing pants and count children in each group.  The teacher then would probably pair two children together to work on sorting different objects into categories by having two baskets or placement mats with pictures on both the child well decide which object shape or food goes in what basket or on which placement mat and count each item in the basket. Another activity they can do sort objects by color, shape, and size.

Stages of Technology

Artcobell learning spaces image

Thanking about the five stages of technology and reading each one. It gave me ideas on what we teachers need to know when we start teaching. I thought back in elementary school we had one computer teacher  only we would go to. She would show us how to get to the internet and how to save our work on a floppy disk. She would show us how type to search and type out essays are teacher gave us. We did not really do a lot since it was in fourth and fifth grade. However, it was something to learn so when we go into higher grades and learn how about technology we would know how to use it on our own. at the younger age is was mostly on painting and playing games on the computer. As i got older around 13 ish i started using AOL messager to chat with friends and type up papers and to look up information for projects. that is it! I honestly don’t like how everything is by computer now such as paying bills, interviews that are online now through skype  and getting a hold of someone to talk to a real person not a robot on phone.  I like everything the old fashion way instead of signing up by going green, which is everyone’s line.  Back than it was only one specific teacher who taught everyone how to use technology not all teachers. Now in this day it is required for all teachers to know technology. i believe teachers that I did my student teaching and observations all do not know about technology and do not use it at all. I was even told by some that they do not know how to use the computer still. A lot of teachers have to go back to school for classes on technology since teaching jobs are now asking for background on technology, 

forbes image

The different stages of technology are:

Entry: The teacher uses technology to deliver content to the students by listening to or watching content on activities.

Adoption: The teacher makes decisions about which technology tool to use and when and how to use it.

Adaption: Teachers incorporate technology tools such as word processors, spreadsheets, and graphic tools.

Appropriation: Teachers guide the students on cooperative, project based, and work on incorporating the technology and using many tools to meet the students of all students. Well-funded and options available.

Innovation:  The teacher serves as a guide, mentor, and model in the use of technology. Students extend the use of technology tools.

I agree with each stage because all teachers start from Entry and work their way up. Eventually all teachers will make it to Innovation it’s going to take time going to classes to learn but it’s going to be helpful on future jobs and for the students since no it is all about technology.  It also depends what grades you want to teach the older the more technology you will need to know in class.

accesscomptech image

 The stage I am at right now is Entry. I was a preschool teacher for two years and I never had to use really technology nor my students had to use this tech stuff ever. Yes I did use my phone because I didn’t have an iPad to show them YouTube videos on theme lesson plan songs , theme song dances we did for outdoor play while it rained. I honestly think for preschool and toddler we do not really need to use technology. I believe  technology is for around 4th grade and above for education purposes only not social media.  When I did my observations at an Elementary school IN A PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM the teacher had, an iPad with her at all times. I am like that is weird I wonder why. Well when I asked her, she said she takes pictures when the children are in each area and write an observation with it to show the parents at the end of the year for parent teacher conference. Everything goes on the IPad! From the kids learning there alphabet and numbers. Instead of teachers, writing on paper to show the parents they have to write it in online to this website that is together with the school. I was shocked because where I worked I had to write everything on paper to show the parents. So yes, it is getting me worried that in the future when I want a job at an elementary school I will have to know technology in the classroom. However, thanks for this class I am in now to show me somewhat what I need to know for the future.

Here are so links to check out about the five stages and how apple is getting involved with schools with using IPads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuzpkg-ZxyE

http://www.edutopia.org/adopt-and-adapt-shaping-tech-for-classroom

Active Learning

Google image 

So I am sitting here thinking about what we learned in class last Thursday. Trying to figure out what I am going to write here on my blog to tell the class and my professor.  The Professor talked about Active Learning. Active Learning is a process whereby students engage in activities, such as reading, writing, discussion, or problem solving that promote analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of class content. I honestly didn’t even know what this was. I was so lost. I had to read and read and learn more about active learning. We did a project with a partner in class here is the link http://popplet.com/app/#/3174314 After doing this project I started to know that I did this when I was working at the day care as a teacher. I had to figure out lesson plans where my students didn’t have to be sitting and doing work. I wanted them to get up and learn while having fun without worksheets. Preschoolers are always active so the more they can learn while doing, the better. This is for any level group. We teachers have to engage them and keep them interested while they are with us in a classroom. Back when I was in school the teachers never did fun activities with us it was mostly sitting and writing. Now in schools they still don’t really do active learning. It’s about  learning by watching videos on iPads. Now that I want to become a teacher I believe students learn by tests and homework sheets. They need activities that involve them so they can remember everything and learn in a fun way. Think about it would you want to be sitting in a classroom bored and everyday be miserable that you’re just going to school to do worksheets after worksheets. No! We want our children to be happy they want to come to school because they know there will be fun activities for them to do and learn at the same time.

My first blog

Personal photo 
A picture of me

My name is Amanda. I am 25 yrs old. I graduated from East Aurora High School in May 2008. I decided to attend Waubonsee Community college right after high school to major in Early Childhood Education to inspire children for our future, also for someone who inspired me to be a teacher is my grandma and two aunts, who were elementary school teachers in Chicago public schools. I attended WCC for four years and graduated with an Associate’s degree in Aug 2012. I received a teaching job at Rachel’s learning center in March 2012 as a teacher aid and two years later as a Teacher in a preschool classroom until Aug 2014. My plan is to further my career here at National-Louis University in Chicago,I  to receive my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education in Summer 2018. I am on my second term here at NLU, I need one more class left before i get into the National college of Education for Fall 2016-17. I have career goals that I want to accomplish and they are is that I want to receive my master’s degree in early childhood education by the age of 30. I want to be a full time student in NLU and focus on my classes to get good grades to be able to graduate with 4.0 GPA and be on the dean’s list. I will have more opportunity to apply for scholarships when I further my education. I will feel proud of myself that I accomplish something I really wanted to do in my life in school. My second goal is to receive my bachelors and master’s degree at National Louis University in Chicago,IL. NLU is known for early childhood education and used to be only ECE classes for all teachers, That is way I chose this University. I also love the downtown area since high school I always wanted to attend school and work in downtown Chicago,IL. Now that I’m older I have the opportunity to do it because nothing is holding me back from doing what I want to do. My third goal is after my degrees in Early Childhood Education I want to go back and attend school at University of Chicago which was my second choice of University I wanted to attend I want to get my degrees in Special Education as well. 
More about me...
I am very funny to be around
My favorite thing to do is: play with my dog
My favorite color is: hot pink and blue
My favorite topic to teach about is: Jungle and rain forest 
My favorite book is: All books! but my fave is Rainbow fish.
My favorite animal: Pandas!!
My favorite season is: Fall
My hobbies and interests are: Swimming, photography, yoga, bowling, listening to music, shopping and Mandalas creative therapy anti stress coloring books.

Personal photo
Me and my dog Lucky

Personal photo
Teacher Appreciation day 2012-2014

Links to check it!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kOCY0KNByw

https://www.google.com/?espv=2#tbm=isch&q=mandalas+coloring+pages&chips=q:mandalas+coloring+pages,g_4:hard

Personal photos
My class and I